Elena Varotto
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View article: Comparative cranial anatomy of <i>Homo sapiens</i> and <i>Canis lupus familiaris</i>: morphological, functional, and educational perspectives with a glance to biodiversity
Comparative cranial anatomy of <i>Homo sapiens</i> and <i>Canis lupus familiaris</i>: morphological, functional, and educational perspectives with a glance to biodiversity Open
Cranial morphology reflects a species’ evolutionary history, functional adaptations, and environmental interactions. This comparative anatomical study examines the key structural differences between the cranium of humans (Homo sapiens) and…
View article: The crossroads for patients: idealised nostalgia vs scientific evidence of past health
The crossroads for patients: idealised nostalgia vs scientific evidence of past health Open
Patients sometimes recall a supposedly healthier past, imagined as a time when life was “natural” and free of disease. Such views, often amplified by anti-science movements, collapse when confronted with demographic and palaeopathological …
View article: Mental Eminence in the Historical, Surgical and Anthropological Perspective: A Scoping Review
Mental Eminence in the Historical, Surgical and Anthropological Perspective: A Scoping Review Open
The mental eminence (chin) is a uniquely human anatomical feature with critical relevance across multiple domains of biomedical and anthropological research. This transdisciplinary review aims to synthesize current knowledge regarding its …
View article: The breath of revolution: Illness and metaphor in the life of Ernesto “Che” Guevara
The breath of revolution: Illness and metaphor in the life of Ernesto “Che” Guevara Open
This article examines the chronic asthma of Ernesto "Che" Guevara not merely as a biomedical condition, but as a metaphorical and existential element of his revolutionary identity. Drawing on Aristotle's theory of metaphor and S. Sontag's …
View article: Mummified cave Cheetah inform rewilding actions in Saudi Arabia
Mummified cave Cheetah inform rewilding actions in Saudi Arabia Open
The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) experienced a steep population decline and has been extirpated from 98% of their historical range, including the Arabian Peninsula, where it played a role as top predator maintaining healthy food webs and ung…
View article: Visual Thinking Strategies for medico-anatomical teaching and rheumatological diagnostics: the case of M. L. Greville Cooksey’s Maria Virgo (1915)
Visual Thinking Strategies for medico-anatomical teaching and rheumatological diagnostics: the case of M. L. Greville Cooksey’s Maria Virgo (1915) Open
The paper exemplifies the use of Visual Thinking Strategies method in the biomedical area as implemented in the degree course in Medicine and Surgery at the University of Florence through the analysis of the Pre-Raphaelite painting Maria V…
View article: The penicillin revolution and the role of the forgotten pioneer Vincenzo Tiberio (1869-1915): discovery, development and legacy.
The penicillin revolution and the role of the forgotten pioneer Vincenzo Tiberio (1869-1915): discovery, development and legacy. Open
Penicillin’s discovery is widely attributed to Alexander Fleming (1881-1955) Professor of Bacteriology at St. Mary's Hospital in London in 1928, who observed the antibacterial effects of Penicillium mold. Fleming found that his "mold juice…
View article: The Facial approximation of the controversial skull attributed to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791)
The Facial approximation of the controversial skull attributed to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791) Open
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791) is considered as one of the greatest composers of the Classical Period of music (ca. 1750–1820). Gifted with an unparalleled precocity, which allowed him to play and compose at the highest levels from a …
View article: Anatomical and radiological notes on the sternum of Sicily’s earliest known woman (San Teodoro Cave, Messina, Palaeolithic Period, 14,500 BP)
Anatomical and radiological notes on the sternum of Sicily’s earliest known woman (San Teodoro Cave, Messina, Palaeolithic Period, 14,500 BP) Open
In this brief anatomical and palaeopathological communication the authors detail the characteristics and alterations noted on the sternal body and xiphoid process of ST1, Sicily’s earliest known female skeleton, dated to the Palaeolithic P…
View article: Historical and Social Considerations upon Tuberculosis
Historical and Social Considerations upon Tuberculosis Open
The present article offers a concise perspective on tuberculosis (TB) ranging from antiquity to the present day and highlights the dangerousness of the disease in the light of its historical manifestations and current antibiotic resistance…
View article: The mummy of <scp>Pharaoh Amenhotep III</scp> (reigned ca. 1388–1351 <scp>BC</scp>) and its facial approximation: An anatomical approach
The mummy of <span>Pharaoh Amenhotep III</span> (reigned ca. 1388–1351 <span>BC</span>) and its facial approximation: An anatomical approach Open
This article offers for the first time a facial approximation of the Ancient Egyptian Pharaoh Amenhotep III (reigned ca. 1388–1351 BC) based on photographic material of his mortal remains and anthropometric data collected at the time, and …
View article: A historico-medical perspective on ancient epidemics and their impact on past human societies
A historico-medical perspective on ancient epidemics and their impact on past human societies Open
The present article reviews the major historical plague epidemics that characterised human history by combining data derived from historical sources and biomedical evidence emerged in recent years thanks to advancements of palaeogenetics a…
View article: A linguistic clarification for four key anatomical terms
A linguistic clarification for four key anatomical terms Open
This brief note aims to offer some historical and methodological clarification on four key anatomical words (anatomy, dissection, autopsy and prosection) which are often used incorrectly by students and members of the public when referring…
View article: Tetanus: historical and palaeopathological aspects considering its current health impact
Tetanus: historical and palaeopathological aspects considering its current health impact Open
The present article summarises the historical and palaeopathological evidence of tetanus, an ineradicable yet vaccine-preventable infectious disease caused by Clostridium tetani. The antiquity of the disease is described thanks to historic…
View article: The curfew bell and the COVID-19 pandemic: A historical–medical perspective based on the Italian case
The curfew bell and the COVID-19 pandemic: A historical–medical perspective based on the Italian case Open
The present communication examines the phenomenon of curfew in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic with special attention being laid on the management of the epidemic by Italian health authorities. A literature review and a historical-medica…
View article: The anatomical bases of the 3D digital facial approximation of the Zlatý kůň 1 woman (ca. 43,000 BP)
The anatomical bases of the 3D digital facial approximation of the Zlatý kůň 1 woman (ca. 43,000 BP) Open
In 1950 on Mount Zlatý kůň (‘Golden Horse’) in modern-day Czech Republic a system of caves was discovered. During many years of research in this area, human and animal osteological remains have been excavated, among which the most interest…
View article: The Titan Submersible Tragedy: physiopathology of the death mechanism and the necessity of prevention for Deep Sea Explorations
The Titan Submersible Tragedy: physiopathology of the death mechanism and the necessity of prevention for Deep Sea Explorations Open
This paper examines the physiopathology of death in the tragedy of the Titan submersible in the light of knowledge on barotrauma and established forensic literature.It also offers practical views on preventive measures against such public …
View article: On the early uses of the word ‘gout’: novel evidence and a critical assessment of the published literature
On the early uses of the word ‘gout’: novel evidence and a critical assessment of the published literature Open
Recognized since antiquity, gout is still a relevant pathology with rising prevalence and incidence. This study aims to assess the reference accuracy in journal articles mentioning the early use of the word ‘gout’. Specifically, it investi…
View article: Histological analysis and etiology of a pathological iguanodontian femur from England
Histological analysis and etiology of a pathological iguanodontian femur from England Open
Derived ornithopods, such as hadrosaurids, show a high occurrence of fossilized lesions and diseases. However, paleopathologies in iguanodontians seem to be less common, considering the rich fossil record of these taxa in Europe, in partic…